Yreka Miners Football: Miners and Grizzlies set to meet in Susanville tonight

Friday

Nov 2, 2012 at 10:18 AMNov 2, 2012 at 10:27 AM

Bill Choy

The Yreka Miners varsity football team ends the regular season tonight when they head to Susanville to take on Lassen.

The Miners are 7-2 overall and 2-2 in Northern Athletic League play after downing Corning 27-20 last Friday at home.Lassen is 3-6 overall and 2-2 in the NAL after falling 29-21 in overtime to NAL leader Central Valley at home.The varsity game begins at 7:30 p.m., while the freshman game begins at 3:30 p.m. and the junior varsity game gets underway at 5:30 p.m.Below, Yreka Miners head coach Orlyn Culp talks about tonight's game against the Grizzlies.I know Lassen is known as a tough place to play. What makes it so difficult?Overall it's the program they've built. Although they've struggled to win games this season, they're still considered one of the premier programs in the NSCIF. They won NSCIF DII championships in 2009 and 2010, so the players in their program have been around and part of a championship program environment. Then, it's just playing in the community of Susanville. They love their football and they tend to really come out and support their players and teams. Lastly, after a long travel, the weather this time of year is usually not as inviting as well…although, in all seriousness, Yreka players should have little or no trouble dealing with early winter weather issues.What does your team have to do to perform well in such an environment?We have to stay focused on doing our job and not allowing their players or fans dictate what type of game it will be. Our players will need to keep from allowing the emotions of the game to take them down a pathway that might lead to personal fouls and frustration. We will need to put tremendous pressure on their senior quarterback and get a little luck with turnovers…their turnovers…we don't need any.Can you talk to me a bit about the Grizzlies and what type of offense and defense they run?They run a "Wing T" based offense, but, they've modified it quite a bit over the years. It is rooted in the Wing T concept, but they will throw the ball about 50 percent of the time. They will also run some spread formations, so we're going to have our hands full dealing with everything they'll throw at us. Defensively, they run the current 3-5 defense. That defensive front has kind of become the "new wave" in the NSCIF…it's built to deal with "spread offenses". Their version is more committed to stopping the run with numerous slants and blitzes involving the defensive line and linebackers. It will be imperative for our players to really "play with their eyes" this week so they can see what's happening and adjust to the pressure Lassen brings.What does your team have to do to earn the win this week?We have to play a complete game offensively, defensively, and on special teams. We're also going to need parents, student fans, and community members to really help their favorite players to "get focused" and to play as hard as they possibly can for the entire 48 minutes of game time.What have been some things you have been working on with the team or has been empathizing to them this week?Focused execution and attacking the line of scrimmage on offense and defense.How have practices gone this week?We've had a productive and good week of preparation.What did you learn about your team after the win against Corning last week.That they truly enjoy playing the game of football. It was fun to watch the team interact after the victory. They will enjoy that experience for a long time.With your squad currently at 7-2, where do you think you will be seeded in the playoffs if you defeat Lassen? If you lose, where do you think you may wind up in the playoff seedings?If we beat Lassen we will be seeded sixth. If we lose to Lassen we will be the eighth seed. We'd like to be the sixth seed.